Syllabus for Anthropology 333: Native American
Literatures

Summer session I
Cabell 319, MTWThF 1:00-3:15

How is Native American Literature defined, and what part should American Indian languages
and live verbal performances have to play in this definition? Are our own cultural
assumptions that accompany the distinction between contemporary literature and oral
tradition warranted, or do these need to be rethought? These are some of the questions
addressed in this class. We will read novellas, short stories and poetries. Our reading will be
interwoven with experiences of films, poetry-slams, audio-recordings, and Web publications.
We will compare the written work of contemporary Native American authors with examples
of oral performances by persons living in Native American communities, including
performances recorded by local artists, educators, anthropologists, linguists and folklorists.

Classes will be divided into short lectures, audio/video experiences, participatory readings,
and discussion. Students will write three 3-page essays addressed to the readings and
complete a short ethnopoetic analysis of a Native American language oral narrative of their
choosing from a list of available online resources. Student grades will be based upon:

three 3-page essays 20% each

ethnopoetic analysis 20%

student participation/reading response 20%

Required Reading--Available at the University Bookstore:

Rodney Frey, Stories that Make the World: Oral Literatures of the Indian Peoples of the
Inland Northwest. University of Oklahoma Press 1995.

Week II: Storytelling Traditions as Oral Literatures

Monday, June 17Paper due
In class: Introduction to Oral literature and storytelling
Read Stories that Make the World: Oral Literatures of the Indian Peoples of the Inland
Northwest, "Introduction"

Tuesday, June 18
In class: videos of storytelling performances:Iisaw, Hopi Coyote Stories, with Helen SekequaptewaThe Origin of the Crown Dance: An Apache Narrative and Ba'ts'oosee: An Apache
Trickster Cycle with Rudolph KaneClass will meet in Clemons media room 322A.
Read Stories that Make the World: Oral Literatures of the Indian Peoples of the Inland
Northwest, "The Text: See from the Inside Looking Out"

Wednesday, June 19
In class: Storytelling techniques and themes
Read: Stories that Make the World: Oral Literatures of the Indian Peoples of the Inland
Northwest, "The Texture 'Feel it'"
Thursday, June 20
In class: Prepare for papers (assignment handed out) and storytelling experiences
Read: Stories that Make the World: Oral Literatures of the Indian Peoples of the Inland
Northwest, "The Context: 'You Gotta Go Inside'"

Friday, June 21
In class: Student storytelling groups: performances and interpretations.
view video: Running on the Edge of the Rainbow: Laguna Stories and Poems, with Leslie
Marmon Silko.

Week III. Poetry: "Contemporary" and "Traditional"

Monday, June 24Paper Due
In class: Definitions of Contemporary Poetry
Listen to Luci Tapahonso reading "Hills Brothers Coffee" and other poems and songs
Read: selections from Tapahonso's Saanii Dahataal: The Women Are Singing